Hello From Kelly at Think Turtle Conservation Initiative
Hope you are doing well and that you have been able to dodge as many blackflies and mosquitos as possible. We are all looking spotty these days.
E-mail Content
The following is turtle-related news, information, and an upcoming event we want to inform you about. Hoping you find this e-mail set up so you can easily read the subject matter that interests you or the contents in its entirety.
(1) Nesting Blitz
(2) Injured Turtles
(3) Bancroft and Neighbors, Your Help Is Needed
(4) June Events
(5) Help Turtles In Summer
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(1) Nesting Blitz
After what has been the slowest start to turtle season in the last decade, the turtles are finally settling in to do some serious nesting from now until mid-July. We may see a nesting blitz this evening after the rain and over the weekend, with Saturday, June 3rd being the ‘Strawberry Moon’ lunar cycle.
The full moon has scientifically not been proven to influence freshwater turtle species nesting habits, nor has it been dissproven. Most individuals and groups involved in turtle conservation will concur that there is an undeniable connection between the Strawberry Moon and nesting activity each year. As the moon’s gravitational force affects open bodies of water, it is not a far stretch to think that aquatic life would fall under the cascading effects of the full moon.
Turtles have a solid correlation with the moon. Indigenous Teachings teach us that earth was created on the turtle’s back and is referred to as Turtle Island. The 13 scutes and the 28 plates on a turtle’s back hold the key to the lunar months, correspond to the seasonal changes happening to the land, and orient the passage of time.
Although turtles nest during all moon cycles, expect a nesting blitz this weekend. The turtles are in tune and know the when and what, and they will be doing what they do under the strawberry moon.
June is the peak month for nesting activity, meaning a significant increase in turtles crossing roads. Motorists, be on high turtle alert! Thank you for looking out for the turtles and other wildlife we share the roads with.
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(2) Injured Turtles
Please don’t leave an injured turtle behind. Ontario has a turtle hospital! A wounded turtle left at the roadside may crawl away and die from injuries sustained. A turtle hit may have internal injuries; this time of year, the turtle may be a female carrying eggs. The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) is home to Ontario’s turtle hospital. It is in Peterborough and admits injured turtles from ‘anywhere’ in Ontario. The OTCC provides medical care at no charge and routinely admits injured turtles, accidentally disturbed turtles, nests and/or turtles in distress found in communities all across Ontario.
If you find an injured turtle, please note the location the turtle was found; put the turtle in a well-ventilated box or plastic bin that the turtle cannot climb out of. Once the turtle is contained and in your possession, call the OTCC at 705-741-5000 ASAP. It is always appreciated if the finder can drive the turtle to the OTCC or nearest first responder, but if that is not possible, they will arrange a drive through their network or Turtle Taxi Volunteers.
When the turtle is retrieved, it may appear lifeless and be considered dead. Please do not assume the turtle is dead. Turtles have the unique ability to rev down their metabolism to such a degree that they can appear lifeless. Even a fully qualified veterinarian, under such circumstances, would find it necessary to use an ECG to determine if a turtle has a heartbeat or not.
Once treated and recovered, turtles are released back into the wild at their ‘point of origin’, where it is hoped they will live a long life and reproduce for many decades. Getting in touch with the OTCC no matter where an injured or turtle in distress is found in Ontario helps to ensure the best possible care for the turtle and increases their chances of survival.
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(3) Bancroft and Neighbors, Your Help Is Needed
Taking a ‘MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK’ approach; we would like to ask for some help in a specific way that would make a difference.
Traveling To Peterborough? If you know you will be driving to ‘Peterborough’ on a particular day between today and mid-October, please get in touch with Think Turtle ahead of time and let us know so we can add you to a ‘CALL SHEET.’ The reason for this is so that if we have an injured turtle needing a drive to Ontario’s turtle hospital (Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre) on the day you are driving to Peterborough, it would be very helpful if the injured turtle could accompany you on your journey and be dropped off at the turtle hospital while you are in Peterborough. Note: You would not need to handle the turtle. The turtle would be contained in a box or storage bin of some sort.
The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) is located at the TVM Northview Commercial Plaza, 1434 Chemong Road – Unit 4, Peterborough.
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(4) June Events
We only do a few events in June, being so busy. We are on Turtle Time but will participate in what promises to be a fantastic community event.
INDIGENOUS DAY CELEBRATION
Date: Wednesday, June 21st, 2023
Location: Millennium Park
Address: 168 Hastings Street North, Bancroft
Time: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
For more information, checkout the North Hastings Children’s Services website https://www.nhcs.ca/
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(5) Help Turtles In Summer
Visit our website for information about helping turtles as we head into nest season full throttle and the summer https://thinkturtle.ca/help-turtles-in-summer
If you have any questions about a turtle or nest, please phone or text Think Turtle at 647-606-9537. We work outdoors often this time of year and do not have access to the internet when out of the office.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with daily and weekly news and happening.
As always we are so grateful for the time and efforts you put into helping the turtles. Please be safe out there. Wishing you a great start to a very pleasant weekend.
Best Regards,
Kelly Wallace, Managing Director
Think Turtle Conservation Initiative
Phone/Text: 647-606-9537
thinkturtle@yahoo.com
Facebook: thinkturtleci
Username: Wallace Kathleen Kelly
Website: thinkturtle.ca
Facebook Post: #1021
THINK TURTLE CONSERVATION INITIATIVE 